ACTIVE OUTDOORS: Bluebells and smells on Loch Ness woodland circuit
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
That beautiful bluebell aroma is short-lived each year, so when it arrives you really have to make the most of it and breathe in the soothing scents of spring.
I’d been for a run through my local woods the evening before I did this nice little circuit down at Dores on the shores of Loch Ness, and noticed the bluebells were out along the trackside and in small patches of open woodland where they like to grow.
So the next day, while enjoying the sunshine with the family at Dores beach, I took off for half an hour to do a little jog around the Torr Wood circuit. It was pretty hot, so it really was no more than a jog – and also makes a nice little walk with a bit more shade than the beach itself.
I have a spot closer to Inverness where I usually go to see the bluebells, but I was lucky enough to come across this beautiful array of flowers in the woods here at Dores at the perfect time.
These wild hyacinths, as they are less well known, actually flower until June, but I find that they are only at their peak for a few weeks, emitting that aroma which somehow instils a positive feeling in so many of us.
I headed off slowly from the pebbly beach, making my way to the path that runs behind it along to the entrance to the woodland. It was busy along here on such a glorious day, with throngs of people out to make the most of the weather.
I nodded a greeting to a fellow runner going in the opposite direction as I passed through the gate, following the main path as it veers left around Tor Point (I’ve never quite understood why the map has Tor point with a single ‘R’ while An Torr and Torr wood have two of them, but there you go).
With little wind and some of the highest temperatures of the year so far, it would have been nice to be out on the water in the kayak, but at least the trees were well in leaf now and offering some shade.
I jogged on, rounding the corner and passing more people (and dogs) on my way north towards Aldourie. After a nice little lochan on your right, you pass through a gate then reach the old Aldourie pier. This gives a lovely view over Loch Ness on a quiet day, but with a big group of people jumping off the pier into the water (not recommended, by the way!), I decided to just carry on today.
Just before a cottage, the route forks, with a path left leading towards the castle and the track to the right climbing uphill away from the water. Our route takes the latter option, which was no less scenic with the beautiful light shining through the young, bright green leaves on the much older trees.
As you approach a wooden gate across the track ahead, look out for a crossroads of paths and follow the one to the right, which winds nicely through the undergrowth to meet another track. Keep right so that you are effectively going back on yourself now, away from Aldourie farm.
There had been a few wildflowers in the lower part of the woods, but up here it was quieter, a little bit further from the busy beach, and the flora seemed to appreciate the peace as much as I did. Wood sorrel was everywhere – a tasty treat if you eat the leaves – while sweet violet was dotted at regular intervals along the side of the path.
I was looking out for the bluebells, but they were only about in small clumps here and there. I stuck to the path, which was climbing without any obvious gradient, and recognised the spot where runners on the Loch Ness 24 event join the path network.
I’ll be taking part in the 24-hour endurance event as a team of two with my wife this summer, so it’s useful for me to become more familiar with the route as hopefully I’ll be doing lots of laps that day!
After the path loops away from the fence alongside a field, it reaches a confused crossroads – you want to turn left here, but you can actually follow a nice narrow path from just before the main junction. It continues to run close to the field again then bend right, more or less parallel to another series of fields.
It was in the woods here that I came across the wonderful patch of bluebells, dancing on their stems in the dappled sunlight shining through the canopy. The path led nicely through the centre of the patch, with the sun’s beams broken by the trunk of a tree ahead – an idyllic scene and scent all at once!
Bluebells are closely associated with fairy mythology, one of the warnings being that those who pick a bluebell will be led astray by the fairies and wander lost forever more. And if folklore isn’t enough to put the frighteners up you, be warned that bluebells are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) – so follow the Outdoor Access Code for Scotland and just admire the flowers in situ.
This bluebell haven went on for some time, but there are also views across Strath Dores if you look out over the fields again.
As you reach the end of the main field, look out for a less distinct path forking off to the left to drop diagonally downhill. The yellow flowers of the gorse are in full force at the moment and add some real colour as you twist between the bushes and pass an improvised rope swing before doing some mini-hurdles over the massive pine tree roots
Soon enough you complete the circuit just before the gate that leads back out to the path behind the beach. I was back out in the full sun now, so jogged by the crowds to reach the car park for the Dores Inn at the end, then head over to the playpark to meet up with the rest of the family.
Unfortunately there was no time for a dunk in the cold waters of Loch Ness, so that will have to wait for another day!
Route details
Torr Wood
Distance 3 miles / 5km
Terrain Good paths with some roots and steep sections
Start/finish Dores beach
Map OS Landranger 26; OS Explorer 416
A short run around the woods from Dores beach
Click here to see the route in OS Maps
